So over the past few days I've continued to help out with English classes, we've been back to the hole of the pigs to play games with the community, we've spent some more time in Amistad playing with the kids and helping Blanco with his foster care system, and we've spent a lot of time looking into business ideas to help additionally fund the ministry as well as give the people here some more long lasting help and sustainability.
I can't tell you how hard it is to not just give these people everything that you have on you and then try ask everyone that you know stateside to do the same. And while that may seem like it would help, it takes so much more to really make a difference in their lives and lifestyles. This culture is SO selfish, and SO focused on right now. You can see it in the driving, you can see it in the spending habits, you can see it in the kids, in the way that everything works. There's next to no saving, next to no looking forward to the future, buidling towards better... When you give them a bag of things, those things are fought over, then if they can't be used right away they'll be sold for way less than they're really worth and the community benefits only a small amount. Now granted there are exceptions to that rule and a lot of times you are able to meet direct needs with what you give them. But in order to really make a difference, you've got to give them something consistently to to do that will help them continuously provide for themselves. Church planting and training of pastors, SOO important! English classes and other forms of job training SO important! And one thing that the ministry is really focusing on right now is getting these people some jobs so that they can take care of themselves and not always be looking to a white man for help.
Even creating jobs is super hard down here though, the pay is SOOOOO frickin little and the costs of living only slightly cheaper than in the US. It's been funny seeing what's cheaper here and what's not but in terms of things like food and clothes there's really not a huge difference. And as if things weren't bad enough for the locals, the Hatian refugues have even less! Some startling stats: an average monthly salary for a teacher here in Puerto Plata is 6-8 thousand pesos a month. That's two hundred american dollars A MONTH! Doctors, who are employed by the government, get paid about six hundred american dollars a month. I know of a graphic designer that does all the marketing in the DR for frito lay and disney along with some other big names that only makes eight hundred US dollars a month....what can you give to help when everyone is fighting for nickels at a time? What you give is the only thing of any value on this island or anywhere in the world, the love of Jesus.
I shared in the last blog the verse in James that says that the poor will be rich in heaven. And while that's comforted me some in terms of God's justice and sovereignty, the thing that God continually keeps reminding me of is the value of the gospel. Jesus Christ is so priceless! It's not simply that once upon a time someone far away paid the penalty for every wrong thing you'll ever do in life. It's that the God of the universe wants that much to have fellowship with you. That we're all precious treasure in His eyes, and you know what, and this seems messed up in spoiled America where we feel entitled to everything, but God doesn't care that these people are poor. Does it hurt him to see them suffering of course! But he doesn't care what material items any of us may or may not have. He wants our hearts and that doesn't come with houses and cars. I've seen more of Christ in the nastiest places that I've ever heard of than in most of the churches that I've been in in the US. THAT is what these people need and what will continue to hold them and keep them. If I can show them that through some silly songs, through some games of soccer, and handing out candy, then praise the Lord that I have that opportunity! It's been one that I'll never in a million years forget and one that I hope I'm not the only one learning from. Thank you sooooo much for your prayers and encouragement. Much love and God bless.
Prayer requests:
Blanco's school is having TONS of trouble because they have no funding to pay their teachers, Blanco is going to have to close the school and reorganize it a way that will better fit his budget. Pray that the Lord gives us all wisdom in helping that process move forward
Brad and Brooke have been under a lot of pressures of people from all of the place asking for money as well as losing a lot of stateside support. Pray that God will continue to give them wisdom concerning how to best utilize resources and continue to encourage them to not become weary or embittered.
There are several different business ideas that we have come up with one of which will have a HUGE impact on helping the ministry and a lot of different people that the ministry works with (including Blanco's school). Pray that God will provide the money needed to start the business, that there would be wisdom and organization in running it, and that it will be fruitful and bring glory to God through its sucess.
I'm leaving very soon and don't want to be distracted by my own emotional desires. Pray that God will keep me focused on what He desires.
I know that this was long but I thank you all for reading it. I love you and miss you!
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